Senators left wing Zack Smith puts a shot off the crossbar over the shoulder of Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller during the second period of Thursday’s game in Ottawa, Ontario. Miller could get the start again on Saturday in Montreal. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

OTTAWA, Ontario — Ryan Miller has yet to start in consecutive games for the Ducks but there is a good chance that could change this weekend.

Work for the 37-year-old has mostly been limited to games on the second half of back-to-back nights, against his former team (Vancouver, twice) and relief efforts when usual starter John Gibson was either pulled or had to leave the game.

But with Gibson nursing a lower-body injury, Miller got the start in Thursday’s overtime loss to Ottawa and could draw the assignment Saturday in Montreal if Gibson is still ailing. Miller made 30 saves but Erik Karlsson’s overtime goal dropped his record to an odd-looking 6-2-5 in 16 games.

Playing time hasn’t been plentiful as Gibson has largely stayed healthy until now. His strong play as the Ducks’ clear-cut No. 1 goalie has given Ducks coach Randy Carlyle no reason to turn away from him other than the occasional rest.

And Miller knows that. He understood when he signed a two-year contract with the Ducks over the summer, his days as a regular starter would be a thing of the past. But with Gibson listed as day-to-day and his status in doubt, Miller could see more work right away.

“You always find things within your game and when you don’t have a lot of rhythm going, (things) that you want to do better,” Miller said afterward Thursday night. “There were a few plays I was good on. I was happy to battle early.

“But there’s other plays. I thought I drifted off a little bit on the (Zack Smith shot) that hit the crossbar. A few other little plays where I’d like to be a little more set on the play. They didn’t really work out to anything. That’s just me getting inside and trying to work through what I can get better on next time.”

The Ducks signed Miller because they felt the veteran would be an upgrade in case Gibson was sidelined for any length of time. So far, they’re satisfied with what they’ve seen.

“I don’t think anybody can look at it and say ‘Millsy’ hasn’t come in and did the job for us when he’s been called upon,” Carlyle said. “Again, that’s the luxury of having a veteran guy as part of your hockey club. He’s not a flashy guy or a guy who grabs a lot of attention.

“He just seems to be about going in and being a – I don’t want to say old pro – but a professional in the way he approaches it. Very even-keeled. We just are going to rely on his experience and the history of him coming in and making a complement to our group. And that’s what’s expected.”

There were no guarantees given to Miller in terms of how often he’d play. He’ll take what’s given to him.

“Overall, I felt pretty good about my game,” Miller said. “If they need me to keep going, I’ll keep going. That’s kind of the attitude I’ve tried to take all year. If they need me, I’m going to try to get the points.”

Meanwhile, Gibson’s injury might not to be too serious since he remained with the team and was in the team’s off-ice workout gear in the morning. Carlyle said it is up to the player, the medical and the strength and conditioning staff to determine when he is good to return.

“All three of those people have to be prepared to say that the green light is on,” he said. “Right now, it’s not on.”

BERRA BROUGHT UP

To fill Gibson’s absence, the Ducks recalled goalie Reto Berra from the American Hockey League’s San Diego Gulls. Berra spent the season’s first few weeks with Anaheim as Miller recovered from a wrist injury.

Last assigned to the Gulls on Nov. 24, Berra has been able to take regular turns in the net there after seeing scant duty as a backup with the Ducks. Berra has gone 10-6-0 in 17 games with San Diego, posting a 2.68 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

All along, Berra was determined to play in North America even if it meant that his role was as the Ducks’ No. 3 goalie.

“In the end, it’s how you take it or leave it,” Berra said. “You just have to embrace it. That is what I did.”

Berra had a long day of travel to get from San Diego to Ottawa. But he had to prepare for the temperature change.

“When I got the call last night in San Diego, the first thing I had to do is go buy a jacket,” he said. “It’s one of the best cities I’ve ever been to and to play hockey there, it’s a privilege. I really enjoy it.

“It’s really cool. … It makes it a lot easier when you have such a nice place to live to go to work.”

To open up a roster spot for Berra, the Ducks reassigned right wing Jared Boll to San Diego.

Eric Stephens has been covering the Ducks and the NHL for news outlets since 2005 and for the Orange County Register since 2009. Now happily spreading the hockey gospel throughout the Southern California News Group. Has covered three Stanley Cup Finals and (sadly) one NHL lockout. Once took up an invitation to a fan's tailgate barbecue at the College World Series. Has all sorts of genres on his iPod and tries his best in whatever he does most of the time. Only the grits at Waffle House come close to his. Eternal goal: Be better.

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